#abbygfall

Written for @abbygriffindaily‘s 4 Day Fall Fest Day 1. Favorite moments from season 5. Abby gets clean.

Most of this scene belongs to the writers of the 100. Abby and Marcus’ inner thoughts and the end are mine. 

Pairing: Abby Griffin/Marcus Kane

Setting: Season 5 Ep. 12

She packed up the last of the materials in the briefcase. Immensely thankful to be finished, after a grueling few days, but also happy. She'd made it through this first trial. She'd survived. Again. She hadn't thought she'd come out on the other side of addiction again. She'd been sure that the bunker would take everything she had. Take Marcus. Take her life. But they'd survived. And she was clean. For good.

And then she saw it. One red pill.

She bent to pick it up, her hand shaking slightly. She wanted to scream at it. How dare you! After everything I've been through. I'm clean! Not going back again! Leave me the fuck alone!

But she steadied herself. This will not beat me again. I am in control. I choose my life. I don't need this anymore. 

She held it in her palm, and this time, its weight didn't crush her into the floor. It was only a pill. Nothing she hadn't handled thousands of times before. 

She heard the door close, heard the heavy thump of his boots in the doorway. Her heart pounded in her chest. Clean. She was clean again. And he was here. She turned to face him.

"McCreary said you'd finished." his voice was like a balm to her soul, and she breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of him.

"122 procedures in 5 days. Without pills." her voice was steady again. He could hear the spark in her tone. Like she used to have. Before.

"I heard that too." he smiled, and her eyes softened.

He was bursting with joy. But he didn't want to spook her. To overwhelm her too fast. He didn't know how this was supposed to go. He could cross the room in two long strides. Take her in his arms, burying his face in her soft hair. He could promise to never let her go again, as his arms wrapped around her small frame. But he didn't know if that was what she wanted anymore. He didn't know if he deserved her forgiveness, if she even had any left to offer. And he was so weary. 

"Where's Clarke? I'd like to thank her for helping you, when I couldn't." his voice was clear, but she could hear the slight tremble when he said I couldn't. Like it was his fault it all fell apart again. Like he couldn't save her. From McCreary. From the pills. From herself. 

"I asked her and Madi to sleep at the church tonight. So we could talk." and maybe something else, her mind supplied. But she didn't know anymore. She didn't know if he still wanted her after that devastating choice she'd had to make. But she had chosen him. She was clean now.  She just couldn't do it on his timeline. She had to take the final step on her own.

She almost lost herself in the memory. The last time she got clean, in the bunker. She wondered if he was thinking of it too.

His hands roamed her body, almost reverently, lighting up nerves she'd sworn had died long ago. His mouth was everywhere, mumbling against her skin. 

"God, Abby. I've missed you." He punctuated each sentence with a kiss. "I've missed this. So much."

"Me too." she groaned as he pressed harder against her.

She crossed the room, willing him to meet her eyes. He almost spoke, but then shook his head slightly.

"I know that look. What's wrong?" she asked, imploring him to tell her the truth.

"McCreary won't accept Wonkru's surrender. They're all gonna get wiped out. And I told them how to do it." he sunk into the chair, the weight of another massacre threatening to crush him entirely.

"And I gave them the ability to." she added, almost laughed at the bitter irony. Had they really ever though they could be the good guys? That they could change. They'd almost had it once, but it slipped through their fingers like grains of sand.

"I'm just so tired of having to choose the least...the least bad option. Octavia, McCreary. Starvation or..." cannibals, his mind taunted. You're cannibals. 

"First we survive, then we get our humanity back. You told me that. Remember?" she reached for his hand, the touch gentle, but sparks pulsed through her blood. To have him so near again almost overwhelmed her senses.

"A long time ago." she smiled, willing him back from this newest devastation. To her. Here.

He pulled his hand away, her body instantly reacting to the loss. But she pulled back as well. He needed space to sort this out. 

“I wish I still believed it.” his voice was cold, hard.

"We'll get there." she reassured gently.

He scrubbed his hands over his forehead, hiding from this pain for a moment.

She needed to get rid of this damn pill. Burn it before he even had the chance to think that she was going to go back again. She needed a fresh start. They both did. 

She stood, taking advantage of his momentary distraction, walking to the surgery table. She took a deep breath, and pulled the two halves of the pill apart. She tipped the capsules, the powder flowing out, blending into the sheet and dropping to the floor. Harmless. Relief swept through her. I am stronger than this, she repeated in her mind. 

She turned back to him, determined to free him, even for a moment, from whatever form of self imposed torture he’d soon exact.

"Marcus." her voice startled him out of his contemplation, and he looked up at her, worry etching deeper lines in his skin. 

She crossed back to him, kneeled and removed his hands from his face. She implored him with her eyes to let go of this fight, to be with her in this moment.

"I'm here." she spoke quietly, taking his hands in hers, pulling him into her. He followed willingly, swallowing her in his embrace. He held her so tightly, she almost believed he could will them somewhere else just with the power of his mind. Somewhere safe.

"Come to bed with me Marcus, just let me hold you." she was gentle, but firm, rising as she said the words. 

She led him to the bed, bending to tug on the straps of her boots, while he quickly toed his off. He looked at her with such uncertainty that she placed her hands on his shoulders, pushing gently, guiding him to lie down. As she followed him down, he seemed to snap out of a fog, and he pulled her gently into his arms. He buried his face in her soft hair, letting her scent invade all his senses. He sighed, a shaky breath fighting its way out of his throat. He could taste relief, lying in her arms again. It was overwhelming, and so much more than he deserved. The effort of keeping himself away from her had taken its toll, and he clung to her for dear life. 

She rubbed soothing fingers along his back as he began to cry, silently at first, then heavy wracking sobs as the weight he'd taken on himself finally lifted away. 

He gripped her tightly, his fingers clawing at her back, as if he couldn't keep her close enough.

Suddenly he pulled back, startling her, staring into her eyes.

"I'm sorry Abby. I'm so sorry. I should have never made you choose." his voice caught, and tears still streamed down his face.

"Shush. It's ok. I know you had to. It's ok, Marcus." she breathed, running her fingers along his beard.

"It's not ok. I can't lose you, Abby. I can't." he buried his face against her shoulder, leaving streaks of wetness as he shook his head.

"I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." she urged him with a gentle hand on his neck to meet her eyes again.

She pulled his head down to hers, brushing their lips together. She needed to feel him. She could only hope he felt the same. He kissed her back gently, their lips meeting over and over. He swiped his tongue along her lower lip, making her groan, and tangled his fingers in her hair, pulling her flush against him.

It was glorious. Heat bloomed in her veins, rushing through her body as she pressed against him. She was certain now. 

She rubbed her forehead, trying to keep her concentration on the medical reports in front of her, when a takeaway coffee cup appeared in front of her.  She looked up and saw Marcus Kane, hospital administrator, and sometime pain in her butt.

“What’s this?”  she asked.

“Pumpkin spiced latte.”

“How did you ...?”

“Know that you liked it?  I’ve seen you at the Starbucks in the lobby.  It seems to be what you prefer once the weather turns cool.”

“Are you tracking me, Kane?”

“I’m tracking everybody, Abby” he said, giving her a half smile.  She considered him for a moment.  What was this? Some sort of peace offering.

“Well, I guess that can’t be all bad, if it results in free coffee” she said, and a full smile spread across his face.

It’s getting late and I need to sleep, so I’m sorry for mistakes - I’ll reread tomorrow and fix it :)

Please enjoy!!

1. Thelonious Jaha

Abby was one month old when she met him. Thelonious was four months older than her. Their parents knew each other, they were Alpha elite, with members in the Council and big places. From the day they were born, they were destined to bigger things – a future opened to them, with the walls of the Ark and their imagination as restriction.

The Walters had come to the Jahas for the evening, the men would watch an old match, while the women would talk, rest after a tiring first month of motherhood. But those weren’t the important relationships taking place that night.

In the bedroom, newborn Abby had been laid on the crib next to Theo, and at some point they woke up, and while none could speak, they look at each other, hands reaching for each other, Abby as she would be known to always do, reached first.

Besides her parents, this was the first meaning relationship Abigail Walters made.

2. Callie Cartwig

Classes started today, 1st grade. Until now Abby had only known Alpha station kids, that was how it was organized for children before they turned six. But with the first letters and numbers came bigger classes, with other stations, including a very special girl from Hydra, at least the upper class of Hydra – kids whose parents worked in Go-Sci – had joined.

Callie was not the first person she noticed in class, after all Theo who she had been best friends since she was a baby, but she had been intrigued by Callie. She had sat in the back of class and had been looking at her lap for too long during class, which Abby found suspicious.

“What were you doing in class?” Abby asked coming up to her during break, and she was in the corner playing with some blocks.

“Nothing,” she asked immediately, “I was listening.”

“No, you weren’t,” she said, “What were you doing?”

“Nothing.” Abby was not getting through her, so she promised her something, “I’m not going to tell on you.”

“How do I know you’re not lying?” she asked.

“I promise,” she said, offering this girl her pinky for a promise.

“You can never tell on me. Never.”

“Never,” and the girl took her finger then and the promise was done, and she pulled something from her bag – a book.

“I was reading.”

“Reading…”

Abby took the book from her hand and looked at the cover and the drawings, but she couldn’t make out the words.

“You can read?”

“Yeah, I can. It’s Alice in Wonderland.”

“Can you read to me?”

“Sure.” She put aside the blocks and opened the book, pulling Abby to sit next to her, and just before she started, she introduced herself, “I’m Callie, by the way.”

3. Jake Griffin

Twelve years old and her class became bigger. The last seven years had all been the same, learning with Theo and Cece, spending most of her afternoons with Callie, and trading homework notes with Thelonious; so it was no wonder the three of them were there when Jake comes into her life.

She was already in the classroom – history, which wasn’t her favorite, so she was glad to be done by it in the morning – her head was resting on Callie’s shoulder as she was still sleepy, while her friend was reading as always. Thelonious hadn’t arrived yet, which wasn’t normal for him – he had always been early to everything.

When Abby finally saw Thelonious, he was not alone, he was in conversation with another boy – he wasn’t a stranger (nobody was in the Ark) and she had definitely seen him at the Jahas before. He was blond, with his hair a bit shaggy, and his eyes were light, from what she could see from here, and then he laughed – this loud and smiley laugh, that woke up Abby for real.

“Who’s he?” she asked Callie – she was always more into the gossip than Abby.

“He’s from Mecha. His mother is an engineer.”

“He’s cute.”

“Ohhh… Miss Abby finally thinks someone is cute…” Callie whispered. They had had this talk multiple times, Callie had been having crushes since they were seven – there was Diana, the latest (who was three years older), John, Fred, and Hermione. Abby hadn’t had one yet, but now, looking at this boy – he was cute and his laugh was beautiful.

“Hey,” Callie said, signing for Thelonious to join them.

“Hi,” Thelonious greeted them, “This is Jake Griffin.”

“Callie,” she said waving.

“I’m Abby Walters,” she told him, smiling at him.

“Hi,” he greeted her and smiled back.

That was the moment Abby thought herself in love with Jake Griffin. It wasn’t true. Not yet. But in a few years, she would know what true love was and it would be with him.

 4. Clarke Griffin

There was a special love that was reserved for their children, something young Abby had dreamed of having as often as becoming a doctor. So now as Jake came to her with the baby on his arms, wearing his biggest smile that made her fall in love with him all over again, she felt a new kind of love, anxiously wanting to hold her daughter.

“Here, baby,” Jake said, putting her on her arms, “She’s beautiful.”

“She is,” Abby whispered, finally looking at her little face, with her thin blond hair, as the eyes opened, the same blue of her father’s. “We did good.”

“You did it, Abby.” Abby didn’t answer Jake, and turned her eyes back to her child.

“Hi, baby, Clarke… I’m your mom, and I love you so much. You’re going to grow up to be the strongest and smartest girl.”

“Your mom’s brain.”

“Your father’s courage. And his laugh and his kind heart. And we’re going to love you and protect you until the end of our days,” she promised, kissing the top of her head. And that moment her girl moved, and rested even closer to her chest, relaxing to the sound of her mother’s heartbeats.

5. Marcus Kane

Abby had seen him around before, of course. They might have been Earth Skills classmates if she remembers things right and he was friends with Jake, she knew that. And she also knew that Callie occasionally slept with him. But now he was coming to her world, Marcus Kane took the seat in front of her in the Council, as the new Commander of the Guards.

Abby smiled at him when he came into the room and took his seat, but he gave her nothing back; his face unreadable in front of her. And then he spoke, he argued with her. But he cared.

People came to these meetings and they wanted them to end in the shortest amount of time, but not him, he kept arguing with her, it didn’t matter how long it would go, he fought her on it – years later she wouldn’t remember what it was about, only that he cared enough about something to stay and fight for it.

At some point, the Chancellor had to stop the meeting and no final agreement was reached that day, but she warned Abby and Marcus that they had until the last meeting to reach a consensus between the two of them and present it.

“Doctor Griffin,” Marcus approached her as the meeting ended.

“Abby, please.”

“Kane,” he introduced himself, stopping her from using his first name. “I was wondering if you want to discuss the proposal now.”

“Sorry… it’s getting late,” she said, “And my daughter is waiting for me.”

“We need to meet.”

“We will, not now. I’ll contact you,” she told him, before turning her back to him, knowing that she would not be shamed for needing to go to her doctor.

This is for @abbygriffindaily ‘s fall fest Day 3: Pumpkins

Pairing: Abby Griffin/Marcus Kane

Set in season 2. Sometime in October before Mt. Weather.

He’d found them at a tiny stall in a traveling marketplace and felt absolutely awestruck. Of all the things that had used to grow on earth, they were the most fascinating. Deep orange in color (something they almost never saw on the Ark), and giant, at least compared to most of the other produce, they seemed almost magical.

He remembered being intrigued by the stories of their use in History, everything from desserts to a fancy container for candles on All Hallows Eve. He’d loved to comb through the archives, gleaning information about long lost traditions from Earth.

So when he’d seen them resting with several types of squash, he knew he needed them. They weren’t as big or round as the ones he’d seen in their digital books on the ark, but they were just as beautiful, their rich orange skin a color Marcus still wasn’t used to seeing in person. He was amazed, and determined all at once. The people of the Ark deserved at least one nice thing on this Earth, and he now knew how to give it to them.

Luckily, he’d brought a cart from the camp, as it was his job on this particular supply run to barter for a variety of food. They’d begun to grow what they could in the new climate, and of course had some seedlings from farm station on each of the stations that fell to the ground, but they were limited by timing and knowledge. So far, he’d managed some apples, beets, brussel sprouts, cabbage, squash and berries that looked like grapes. And now, the pumpkins. He made the deal, grabbing one other special treat. He traded some of his own supplies, and headed back toward camp Jaha,

As he made his way along the road to camp, he thought about some of the traditions he’d found the most interesting. All Hallows’ Eve or Halloween as the people of Earth had commonly referred to it before the bombs, was celebrated on the last day of October, only about two weeks away. He thought maybe he could convince Raven to plan some sort of celebration. Throw in a little moonshine, the pumpkins carved into Jack-o-lanterns for decoration and it might even feel like a real holiday.

Raven immediately agreed, hurrying off while saying something about accessing the Ark’s old database of music, and the plan was in motion. Now all he had to do was figure out how to carve these things.

Cutting open the top and scooping out the insides (saving the seeds for planting and as much flesh as he could for eating of course) was the easy part, he soon discovered as he attempted to carve the first Jack-o-lantern face. He managed a couple of rough triangle shapes for eyes, and a fairly crooked mouth with his large knife, realizing he could really benefit from a some smaller carving implements. But aside from a small hunting knife, the only thing he could think of for more intricate details in the camp was a scalpel, and he wasn’t quite sure how to get this idea past Abby.

He tried to look nonchalant as he wandered into the medical tent looking for supplies, but Abby noticed him almost immediately.

“Marcus, do you need something? Is someone hurt?” She questioned quickly.

“No, no, nothing like that. I, uh...just needed to ask you if I could borrow something.” He reassured, trying to seem like he wasn’t up to anything, but Abby was at once suspicious.

“What exactly do you need from Medical?” She asked, eyebrows raised.

Well, the jig was up. He might as well come clean with her now.

“I found some pumpkins on my supply run, and I, ah...thought maybe since Halloween, you know, that Earth holiday in October was coming up, we should maybe have a celebration.” He stumbled through the words, feeling foolish, but Abby smiled.

“Are you planning on making Jack-O-Lanterns, Marcus?” She replied with a slight sparkle in her eyes, and Marcus remembered the conversation they’d had as teenagers on the Ark.

___________

Abby had always been just as proficient in History as Marcus, although slightly less fascinated by it, favoring anatomy and biology studies. Since they were evenly matched in the subject, they often studied together. They’d once had a test where they’d had to memorize three beliefs or traditions from cultures about each Holiday, and he’d traded some old radio parts and a couple of extra rations for two pieces of chocolate and invited her to his family’s quarters to study.

When they came to the Halloween section of the test, they’d agreed that the Samhain beliefs about the veil thinning between the earthly realm and the spirit world, prompting the idea that by dressing as a spirit, humans would be passed over by any creatures released from the underworld, and the long standing tradition of carving pumpkins into faces to represent soul lights, were the most fantastical and interesting, so that left only one. He knew that the tradition of trading sweets to prevent misdeeds had mostly been adopted during the commercialization of the holiday, but he found it the most fun, and he hoped Abby would too.

“Before we decide on the last one, I have something I think you’ll like,” Marcus nervously mumbled as he and Abby sat cross-legged on his bed. “I uh, want you to close your eyes though, and open your mouth.”

She looked at him like he’d grown a third eye, her eyebrows raised. “What? Why Marcus? What are you planning on doing? This isn’t about that stupid tradition of tricks is it?”

“No, I promise, no tricks. Just, please, it’s really not anything bad.” He replied, more nervous than when she’d first walked through the door, smelling of Jasmine, smiling shyly and making his heart race.

“I don’t know.” She drawled, looking like she might be considering it.

“I would never hurt you, Abby. Never.” He replied, taking her hand in his and looking into her eyes.

“Ok, but if it’s something gross, I’m leaving.” She pronounced, narrowing her eyes slightly.

“Deal.” He nodded, a silent promise that she could trust him.

She closed her eyes, and opened her mouth, and he placed the chocolate on her tongue.

“This is my favorite tradition, I thought maybe it could be ours.” He spoke gently, feeling as though he was jumping off a cliff.

“Chocolate!” She squealed, “where did you find this?” She opened her eyes and threw her arms around him.

“Oh you know, around. Mess hall,” he joked, smiling. Her giddy excitement was contagious.

“This is perfect.” She said quietly, still smiling. “Thank you, Marcus.”

“You’re welcome Abby.” He replied, wishing they could stay in this moment forever.

__________

“Actually, yes, Jack-O-Lanterns are exactly what I’m planning.” he replied, smiling. “I thought it might be fun. And that’s certainly something we could use around here.”

“I think it’s a great idea, Marcus.” Abby replied, on one condition. “I get to carve some too.”

“Absolutely.” He agreed readily, grinning.

Some time later, they were elbows deep in pumpkin guts, laughing like they hadn’t in years, if ever. They had both been successful with their small hunting knives, and the additional help of the scalpel. They all had very different faces, some quite intricate, and Marcus and Abby were both pleased with the results.

Raven soon came looking for Marcus, telling him that she’d planned everything for the next night, and almost immediately rushed off to gather more supplies.

“I’d better go check on Medical,” Abby said, brushing some loose hair out of her face, leaving a few strings of pumpkin on her temple.

“Yeah, we’ve been at this for a while,” Marcus replied, unconsciously reaching to pick the pumpkin from her face. She sucked in a quick breath at his touch, and he pulled his hand away.

“Sorry, you just had some pumpkin on your face,” he supplied, attempting to smooth over the tension that had surfaced.

“Oh, thanks,” she answered quietly. “And thanks for this Marcus. I haven’t laughed like this in years.”

“Yeah, me neither,” Marcus said sadly, remembering the cold, unfeeling front he’d had to construct to keep their people alive on the Ark.

“Goodnight Marcus.” Her voice sounded almost conflicted, as if she really wanted to stay.

“Goodnight Abby.” He smiled, watching her as she walked away.

The next day the camp was buzzing, excitement for the celebration that evening lifting the whole camp’s spirits. Almost everyone had pitched in, some making food from the supplies Marcus brought back, some creating makeshift tables and chairs, several collecting wood for a larger fire, and a couple helping Raven run the sound system through the speakers in the Rover.

Marcus and Abby had collected enough torches to light the Jack-O-lanterns and had loaded them into a cart currently hidden from view. Now they just had to wait for nightfall.

As the sun began to sink below the trees, people began moving things into place, lighting the fire and setting out dishes of hot food. They had plenty of moonshine made up, and the engineering team was just connecting the last of the wires. Suddenly, upbeat music streamed across the camp, and a resounding cheer followed.

They danced, drank and ate well into the evening before Marcus and Abby pulled the cart out with the Jack-O-Lanterns already shining light in every direction. One person looked up from the merriment as they walked by, then shouted, “hey guys, look, it’s like Halloween!” Everyone crowded around them, marveling at the pumpkins, exchanging ideas they’d heard about the Holiday, smiling and laughing. It had worked. Marcus turned to look at Abby, and the smile on her face warmed his entire body.

Several people carefully lifted the Jack-O-Lanterns, depositing them in strategic locations so everyone could see. Groups of people moved from one to the others, smirking about the funny ones and inspecting details on the more intricate designs.

Marcus was feeling ridiculously happy. Something had actually turned out right for once, and even if tomorrow brought more heartache and pain, at least they’d remembered what it felt like to have fun. He wanted to ride the wave of contentment while it lasted, so he plucked up the courage, with a little help from the moonshine, and walked over to where Abby was talking with a few of the kids, intent on asking her to dance.

She smiled as she saw him approach, excusing herself from her previous conversation.

“Marcus, this was a wonderful idea,” she hummed, grasping his arm. “I can’t believe how relaxed everyone looks.”

“I know. It’s really something. I didn’t think about how much we all needed it. Just a little time to let go of everything else and enjoy this amazing place.” He sighed, soaking in the moment.

“Abby, will you dance with me?” He asked, his voice unsure. He held out a hand and she took it readily.

“Yes Marcus, I’d love to.” She smiled sweetly, allowing him to guide her gently toward an unoccupied corner.

He put his hands on her waist, but she pulled him closer, wrapping her arms around him, eliciting a gasp. He was certain she could feel his heart rate increase when she rested her ear against his chest. This was near perfect bliss. He never wanted to leave. They danced to the calm, romantic song, and when another one came on after, he couldn’t help but wonder if Raven might be trying to subtly tell them something. He chuckled lightly at the thought.

“I almost forgot, I have something for you,” he whispered in her ear, feeling her shudder slightly against him. He pulled back, gently taking her hand, placing the paper wrapped square of chocolate in her palm.

“Is this what I think it is Marcus?” She gasped, eyes lighting up. “Our tradition?”

“You remember that day?” He questioned, excited.

“Of course I do!” She exclaimed. “That was one of my best memories of the two of us, before...” she trailed off.

“Before I became who I was and pushed you away,” he supplied, his tone lace with bitterness.

“We were different people up there, Marcus. That’s not who you are to me now. You’re...someone new. Well, almost new.” She murmured, taking the chocolate out of the wrapper and breaking it in half.

“I have another piece,” he started, but she cut him off by placing one of the pieces between his lips, smiling.

It’s ratty and worn, and it has been mended multiple times.  It should be discarded, but she thinks it still smells like him.  She keeps it with her bundle of worldly goods, beside her makeshift bed.  At night she puts it on, although it is much too large for her, falling past her knees.  When she lays down to rest she wraps it around her, because, for now, it’s all she has of him.

(A03)

A short fireside fic, for @abbygriffindaily ‘s fall fest Day 2 (even though it’s day 3, I’m working on that one too). Favorite pairing : Kabby

The embers popped gently in the fire pit. The fire kept the worst of the chill away, but Abby still shivered under the thin blanket, the crisp fall air seeping into her skin. It was late, well past 1am, and she should be sleeping, but like many nights, it just wouldn’t come, so she’d settled by the fire after checking on Jackson in medical and wandering around the perimeter of the camp for a while.

There were guards that occasionally walked past on their patrols, but otherwise, the camp was quiet. She savored it, never completely certain when the next time might be.

She heard the crunch of boots behind her, and turned to see Marcus standing above her with a coat.

“I thought you might be cold out here,” he started, his voice gentle, and she felt warmer before he even leaned down to ease it around her shoulders.

“Thank you,” she replied, pulling her arms through the sleeves. “Shouldn’t you be sleeping? How did you know I was out here?”

“I was late leaving my shift, and I decided to check the perimeter around the east side where we just repaired the fence. I saw you walking, and figured this might be where you ended up. I also noticed you didn’t have anything to keep you warm, so I grabbed one of the extra guard jackets while I was packing up. I know you tend to stay out here a while when it’s quiet.” His voice sounded a little sheepish, and she smiled slightly.

He smiled, and she scooted to the side of the log she was sitting on, making room for him if decided to join her. He looked uncertain for a moment, and then his expression changed, softened as he sat down next to her, their knees gently brushing.

“Are you tracking me Kane?” She teased gently, and he laughed a little, remembering the words she spat at him in anger not that long ago. It seemed like forever.

“I’m still tracking everyone, Abby.” He said, narrowing his eyebrows like he used to, but couldn’t quite keep the ruse up, breaking into a smile as he said her name, so unlike how he used to.

She offered him part of the blanket, and this time he seemed more confident, moving just a little closer and accepting it easily. She rested her head gently on his shoulder, and thought she might have heard his breath catch, but decided to pretend it was just the cold.

“I like it out here, even with the cold. It’s peaceful.” She changed the subject, wanting to focus on the calm of this moment, and not dredge up any more old memories.

“It is. Almost like there isn’t a war threatening to break out at the slightest provocation, right outside these walls.” His voice sounded weary, and it made her heart ache. They’d had so few moments like this, without fighting since they came to the ground.

“The truce will hold,” she answered, but the slight tremble in her voice belied her words. “It has to.” That last part was almost a whisper, and he knew at that moment why she spent so much time here alone. Waiting. For Clarke. Hoping she’d come home on her own. Hoping there was something to come home to. He hoped those things too.

“We’ll find her, Abby.” He responded, his voice certain.

She wanted to believe him, more than she wanted almost anything. She wanted to take comfort in his steadfast determination, let it surround her. Keep her safe and warm. But she wasn’t sure if she could. She wasn’t even sure he wanted her to, even though in the last month it seemed like they might be moving toward something different. Something more. And she wanted more, especially in moments like these, with his warm body so close.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Four Day Fall Fest.  If you missed a post you can find the masterlist below:

Sweater:

Sweater by @kingstoken

Favorite Moment in Season 5:

Regret and Anguish by @theevebeforedarknessfalls

Clean by @theevebeforedarknessfalls

Fireside:

Fireside by @kingstoken

Comfort by @theevebeforedarknessfalls

Favorite Relationships:

Drabbles by @thestagthatlovedthewolf

Pumpkin:

Pumpkin Spiced Latte by @kingstoken

Traditions by @theevebeforedarknessfalls

Free Choice:

Hope by @theevebeforedarknessfalls

Who is this man? He’s Kane, but the ground has changed him.  Although, maybe he was changing long before we reached Earth.  This man who was the bane of my existence for so long, but it doesn’t feel wrong that he joins me beside the fire, in fact, it feels natural.  What this means I’m not sure, but I do know one thing, I missed him when he was gone.                                       (A03)